AT&T just got a lot friendlier for cord-cutters.
In the new age of streaming media, more and more people are attempting to separate themselves from their TV subscriptions. Streaming devices like Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and others are all making it even easier to play Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and HBO Go.
One of the biggest remaining hindrances for cord cutters is that a lot of content (including live content) is only available through cable provider bundles. A la carte pricing is not yet a reality when it comes to cable subscriptions, and some premium content services–such as HBO and Showtime–are also only available when partnered with a cable subscription.
Comcast recently started offering some bundles that are a little more friendly to cord-cutters, and now AT&T is following suit. Unfortunately, the two available packages both require a 12 month contract, but they do offer a simplistic TV alternative.
For $39, customers can subscribe to the U-Verse + HBO Bundle, which includes U-Basic TV, U-Verse Internet Max Plus, HBO (including HBO Go), and a year’s subscription to Amazon Prime.
$29 will provide customers with just the internet and Amazon Prime options. Still a good deal, but the basic TV and HBO for just $10 more will likely be more attractive to the average consumer.
The new plans definitely offer more alternatives for many customers, but many cord-cutters would prefer for internet providers to just provide data service and allow the content to be purchased directly from the content provider, AKA: The Netflix Model.
This is definitely a step in the right direction for AT&T, though. The marketplace is definitely trending towards the granularity that many consumers desire. It’s only a matter of time before cord-cutters get the a la carte content they desire.
Source: Engadget
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